WIND IN THE SAILS
Dawnbreaker
Lars Alfredson
Wed 29 Apr 2020 13:46
The mad thing about the sweet:
The Indian Ocean ports are closed and all boats in the entire area are waiting for a harbour that opens so they can get out to sea without risking stuck out there without the possibility of food, water and shelter.
And even for anchor at a city, it has proven to be a bigger task every time we needed food. But we have succeeded, even though it's not much fruit and vegetables we've been able to get. And now we have also managed to connect with Reunion, which allows us to come in and put the ship ashore for a few months.
Despite uncertainty and waiting, it has also been a lovely time in Hulumale. We are extremely good at keeping our mood high and everyone is coming with a day routine and small projects that make the days going astonishing fast despite everything. In addition, we have enjoyed a lot of hours with the pilrays at The fish tank (see my previous presentation) and have been blessed with new friends who, like they have spent weeks, for some months, in quarantine in the Maldives.
This morning at 08 pm we could finally wave goodbye after a few days of trouble to get water in the tanks, exit permit and stamps in our passports.
But NOW there's wind in the sails and we have a week of sailing ahead of us before we hit Chagos About 700nm south. It's going to be unique and a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Chagos is a British Indian Ocean territory, and is uninhabited beyond the main island, rented to American military base. Here bombers are ready with their nose pointing towards the Middle East.
That's why getting there is something very special. Ivan has worked two months with permission and they let a maximum of 20 boats a year. We are boat number 1.
The main island is strictly forbidden area, but the rest of the uninhabited small islands we must step. And then we're looking forward to seeing new fish in reef that are almost untouched by humans.
We plan to spend a week in Chagos before we go to sea for another week to get to Reunion. The end of the sea journey. From here we don't know what's going to happen, and as the world looks right now, much can change in the coming month. Hopefully for the better.
Now we are just delighted to be on rocking ground again and that the wind seems to be with us. Foam spray and starry nights in sight!
Malene
